Pelvic list strength test as an indicator of sprint running performance

This study aimed to develop a new test for evaluating pelvic list strength (PLS) and to clarify whether the test would be an indicator of sprint running performance.

The maximal vertical ground reaction force exerted by maximal pelvic list was measured using a force plate (sports sensing; 1000 Hz) as PLS test value. For the experiment, 14 male sprinters performed 60-m sprints, single-leg squat, countermovement and rebound-continuous jumps, and PLS test.

PLS values were 6.05±1.36 and 6.07±1.02 N/kg for the right and left sides, respectively. No significant correlations were found between vertical jump test variables and the PLS variable for each side. Significant correlations were found between the right PLS and 60-m and 30- to 60-m sprint times (r=-0.537 and -0.581), while no significant correlation was found for the left side. Although the correlation coefficient did not reach significance level, its magnitudes of right PLS with running speed at the 5^th-8^th, 17^th-20^th and 21^st-24^th step sections (r=0.478-0.513) and with increment of running speed at the 5th-8th step section (r=0.506) were moderate or high.

The results indicate that the currently developed test could evaluate specific strength related to the pelvic list that cannot be evaluated using commonly used single-leg vertical jump tests. Moreover, the results demonstrate that the PLS may possibly be important for increasing running speed in the middle acceleration section and keeping high running speed in the later acceleration section.